e traffic in and abuse of illicit drugs result in significant costs to individuals and the community. To minimise the harm associated with illicit drug activity, there is close cooperation between the Commonwealth Government, the State and Territory Governments, the various police services and other law enforcement agencies. Included in these is the Australian Customs Service, which has responsibility for the enforcement of laws controlling importing and exporting of illicit drugs. These agencies direct particular attention to monitoring the popularity of the various types and forms of illicit drugs and identifying emerging patterns of use through the analysis of law enforcement data on illicit drug seizures and arrests.

The total number of drug offenders in Tasmania increased by 55.3%, from 1,225 in 2000-01 to 1,903 in 2001-02.

In 2001-02 cannabis offenders accounted for most drug offenders, by far, with 1,540 offenders (80.9% of Tasmania's total), although still proportionally less than 2000-01 where cannabis offenders accounted for 85.7% of all drug offenders. The next largest category of offenders involved 'other drug offences', with 237 offenders (12.5% of Tasmania's total). This compares to 93 in the previous year.

Information on the widespread problems arising from drug abuse in Australia, and on how these problems are being approached, is presented in the Australian Illicit Drug Report produced by the Australian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence.

TOTAL OFFENDERS, By Drug Type, Tasmania

2000-01

2001-02

Drug type

no.

no.

Cannabis

1,050

1,540

Cocaine

2

1

Heroin

9

34

Amphetamine

70

89

Hallucinogens

1

1

Steroids

-

1

Other drugs

93

237

Total

1,225

1,903

- nil or rounded to zero

Source: Australian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence, Australian Illicit Drug Reports, 2000-01 and 2001-02.